Promote better use of accessible green space in order to increase the use of under-utilised areas,

Promotion of “forest schools” and similar approaches to learning in the outdoors,

And encouraging schools to give greater emphasis to offering children “engaging nature experiences”.

The report championed the use of forest schools because it quoted research by the Forestry Commission that showed lessons and activities within a woodland appeared to have a beneficial effect for children with emotional or behavioural problems.

In Japan, the health benefit of spending time in forests has its own word – “shinrinyoku”, and literally means “forest bathing”.

‘Not a treat’

Play England – an organisation that focuses on giving children access to free play areas – has funding from Natural England to run a programme to re-engage children with the natural world.

Is it time for medical professionals to turn over a new leaf and prescribe a dose of “vitamin N”?

“Fundamentally, we believe that kids should be outside playing for a good proportion of the day because it is how you can stay happy, less stressed but it is also good in a whole range of ways,” said Play England director Cath Prisk.

However, she added: “Research we carried out last year showed that parents think taking their kids to the park is something you do as a treat instead of something you do everyday.

“I have a dog, and if I did not take my dog into the park two or three times a day, I would be considered a very bad dog owner.

“Yet there… is more of a stigma that you have not made sure that your kids did their homework than if you do not take your kids out to the park,” Ms Prisk observed.

“There is a growing body of research that says getting outside regularly is good for kids, but that is fighting a massive zeitgeist, which says that if you let your kid out of your sight, then they will come to harm.”

The Sowing the Seeds report also identified the perceived risks associated with children playing outside without supervision as a reason for the nature deficit.

“Children today do not enjoy the same everyday freedom of movement as previous generations,” it concluded.

“However, the underlying causes of this change are complex and linked to wider changes in society, including increasing car ownership and use, loss of green spaces, longer parental working hours, a rising fear of crime… and the growth of indoor, screen-based leisure activities.”

Nature prescription

But is the growing volume of studies, evidence and grassroots support making a difference to the way certain conditions or symptoms are treated?